British Motorcycle Gear

Categories: Back In The DayGuns

The 2021 MacManus 1911 Award

Earlier this month we had a quick trip back to New Jersey for the 2021 MacManus Award.  You’ve read about the MacManus Award earlier on these pages.  It’s the presentation of a 1911 .45 Auto to the outstanding Rutgers University Reserve Officers Training Corps graduating cadet.

US Army Captain Colin D. MacManus, Rutgers University ’63.

The award honors Captain Colin D. MacManus, a US Army Airborne Ranger who was killed in action in Vietnam in 1967.  Good buddies Dennis, Tim, Javier, and I revived the MacManus Award, and it’s a tradition we will keep alive.

The 2021 MacManus Award, a Colt 1911 presented to Cadet Joseph Hom.
The 1973 Colin D. MacManus 1911 and a couple of 5-shot, 25-yard hand held groups I fired with it.

You know, I sometimes hear people my age talk about younger folks in a disparaging manner and lament a notion that young people today are somehow less motivated than we were.  When I meet people like Joe Hom and his classmates, I know that’s not true.  It’s reassuring and invigorating to meet these folks and when I do, I know our future is in good hands.


You can read more about the MacManus award and other Tales of the Gun here.


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Joe Berk

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